Fertilizer distributor



Aug.. 15, 1944.

W. A. HYLAND FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR 4 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Jan. 13, 1941 Aug. l5, 1944. z w. A. HYLAND 2,355,728

FERTILKIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 13. 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENT OR.

` Aug. l5, 1944-V w. A; HYLAND 2,355,728

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTOR Filed Jan. 13, 1941 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVNT'OR.` W LIAM A. HYLAND l Kif, //f f z Aug. l5, 1944. n w. A. HYLAND 2,355,728

FERTILI ZER DISTRIBUTOR rmvlsrfrroxl f WILLIAM A. HYLAND .tom thereof.

rianne Aug. 1s, 1944 UNITED STATES *PATENT OFFICE i Fan'rimzen DISTRIBUTOR William A. Hyland, Horicon, Wis., assignor to The I Van Brunt Manufacturing Company, Horicon,

Wis., a corporationof WisconsinV ApplicatonJanuary 13, 1941, Serial No. 374,258

(cI. zzz- 231) 2,5 anims. This invention relates generally to distributing apparatus and is more particularly concerned with fertilizer distributors that are adapted to be attached to a grain drill.

` The object and general nature of the present invention is the provision of a new kind of helical spring wire distributing `member especiallyconstructed and arranged to provide` for a smooth continuous flow of fertilizer over a relatively great extent of adjustment. More particularly, it is a feature of this invention to provide a lfertilizer attachment in which the parts may be readily ref moved for cleaning and in which the construction is such that there is little opportunity for fertilizer to become caked and hardened to the extent of interfering with the proper operation of the distributor. In this connection, it is a if there should Abe some fertilizer thatbecomes caked or hardened thereon, the subsequent operthis invention to provide means by which the g5 baflie as well asv the agitating member may be removed for cleaning and other purposes quickly and conveniently.

Another important feature of the present invention is the provision of discharge outlets along 40 the side of the hopper, rather than in the bot- The advantage of this construction is that the tendency forthe fertilizer to continue to flow out of the discharge openings when standing is practically eliminated. Further, the 45 provision of the discharge outlets in one side of the hopper, with a helical spring wire distributor arranged to lie close to the discharge openings, effectively prevents fertilizer fromflowing out when the outfit is standing and not in oper- J ation. In this connection it is a further feature of this invention to provide for two distinct ranges of adjustment, one in which relatively `iine adjustment of small iiows is available and another in which large flows can be provided'for further feature of `this invention to provide a helical spring wire distributing member in which,

` ation of the machine will serve to break loose the hardened fertilizer without danger of breaking the rate of distribution;

*without requiring any readjustment for movement of any part through an extensive range.

vAnother feature of this invention is the provision of improved means for driving the fertilizer distributing members in an improved manner from the grain drill axle shafts, with clutch means controlling the drive and actuated by suitable connections with the raising means for the grain drill furrow openers.

These and other objectsand advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a rear view of a grain drill with fertilizer attachment, in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, certain parts of the fertilizer hopper being broken away to show interior construction;

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken generally along the line 2 2 of Figure 1; I

' Figure 3 is` a view taken generally along the line 3 3 of Figure 1, showing the lever and associated parts for shiftingthe gateto adjust Figure 4 is a section taken along the line 4-4 of Figure `1, showing details of the removable center bearing for the inner endsof the two helical spring wire distributors;

Figure 5 is an enlarged fragmentary section taken generally along the line 5-5 of Figure 2,

` showing details oi' the helical spring wire Vmembers, the supporting means therefon'and the connection between the distributor shaft and the driving gear;

Figure 6 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view looking downwardly on the center bearing; Figure 7 is a view of one of the fertilizer spouts that is adapted to discharge into separate fertilizer tubes;

Figure 8 is a fragmentary view of one of the spout castings;

Figure 9 is a fragmentary side view disclosing a modified construction in which the fertilizer attachment delivers fertilizer into the seed tubes of the grain-drill;

Figure 10 shows a modified form of the helical.

the end thereof.

, ent invention, is indicated by the reference numeral I and is arranged to be supported on a grain drill 2, which includes a seed box 3, seed selecting mechanism 4, and suitable .furrow opening means to which seed is delivered by a plurality of seed tubes 5. The grain drill seed box 3 is supported upon a frame 8, certain frame bars 9 of which extend generally rearwardly of the seed box 3 to provide a support for the fertilizer attachment Spouts I receive the seed and serve as a support to which the upper ends of the seed tubes 5 are attached. The several furrow openers of the grain drill are raised and lowered by means of arms I2 fixed in any suitable manner to a lifting rock shaft I3. The grain drill 2 is supported on ground wheels I5 to which axle shafts I5 are connected. Preferably,

y there are two axle shafts I5 that are maintained in alignment but are arranged so that each may rotate independently, and the grain drill frame 9 is supported in any suitable manner on the axle shafts I6. The grain drill seeding mechanism 4 is driven from the axle shafts I6 in any suitable manner, the details of which are per se not concerned in the present invention.

Referring now to the fertilizer attachment, the latter includes a hopper 2| which includes a front side wall 22, a rear side wall 23, opposite end walls 24 and a bottom wall 25. The hopper is also provided with a hinged cover 26, and the upper edges of the front and rear walls 22 and 23 are beaded, as at 21, to provide extra strength and to provide a smooth upper edge. The front vwall 22 includes a lower angled section 28, to

which reference will be made below, but it is to be noted at this point that the wall section 28 Joins the hopper bottom 25 at a fairly steep side of the drill. As best shown in Figure 1. there is mounted at each side of the fertilizer hopper 2| a gear case 4| and a shaft supporting bracket 42 spaced laterally inwardly thereof, the latter being bolted to the rear side and bottom walls of the hopper. The gear case 4I and the bracket 42 are formed with sleeve sections in which a feed shaft 44 is journaled for rotation by suitable bushings, the shaft 44 itself being square or some other noncircular section. A pinion 45 is fixed to the associated axle shaft I5 and has trained over it a sprocket chain 45 which, at its upper end, passes over a sprocket gear 41 that is journaled for rotation on the laterally inner end of the associated shaft 44. Suitable clutch mechanism 48 serves optionally to connect the sprocket member 41 to the shaft 44 to establish a driving connection between the 'axle shaft le and the feed shaft 44. The @nach 45 includes an arm 50 that is connected by a link 5| to an arm 52 that is fixed to the grain drill lifting shaft I3, and the parts are arranged so that when the grain drill furrowv openers are raised into inoperative position, which mechanism (notshown) disconnects the seed drive, the arm 52 actsmthrough the link 5I and the arm 5|| to disconnect the clutch 48 and interrupt the drive from the axle shaft l5 to the fertilizer feed shaft 44. The laterally outer end of the shaft 44 receives a gear 54 suitably fixed thereto and disposed Withiny the lower portion of the gear case 4|, and the gear 54 meshes with a companion gear 55 also journaled in the gear case 4I. As best shown in Figure 5, the latter is formed with a bearing or sleeve section 56 which extends through an opening in the assoangle so that the fertilizer discharge openings 29 therein face generally in a fore and aft direction so as to eliminate the tendency for fertilizer to run out of the openings when the machine is not in operation, which not infrequently occurs in distributing apparatus of this kind in which the discharge openings are in the horizontal bottom wall portions of the hopper.

The fertilizer attachment hopper 2| is supported on the rear ends of the frame bars `9 by means of a plurality of box straps or braces 3| bolted to the rear side wall 23 of the hopper and bent at their lower ends, as at 32', and bolted to the rear ends, respectively, ofthe frame bars 9. Preferably, but not necessarily, the fertilizer hopper box straps 3| are secured to the frame bars 9 by the same bolts by which the grain drill seed box straps 33 are secured to thegrain drill frame. connected to the end of the grain drill seed box by a brace 34 bolted, as at 35, to the'associated end wall of the hopper and fastened in any suitable manner to the grain drill seed box adjacent A tapped hexagonal spacer block 39 is disposed between each grain drill box strap 33 and the fertilizer hopper box strap 39 and connect it thereto by a bolt 40. The inside of the hopper is reenforced by one or more braces 39 secured to the front and rear walls of the hopper, as best shown in Figure 2. In this way, the

, fertilizer hopper is firmly and rigidly secured in other by a connection with the axle shaft at that ciated fertilizer end wall 24 and into the interior of the fertilizer hopper 2|. The gear 55 is vformed with an elongated hub section 59 which is chilled to provide a bearing surface and which is rotatably disposed in the bearing sleeve section` 55 of the gear case 4|. The hub section 59 isv longer than the sleeve section 55 of the gear case and therefore extends laterally into the hopper a sufficient distance to receive a collar 5| which is secured to the feed shaft gear hub Each end of the fertilizer hopper 2| is 59 by a set screw 62. The collar bears against the llaterally inner end of the gear case bearing sleeve section 56 and therefore holds the gear 55 in-position. A cover 63 consisting essentially of a at plate section, is secured in place over the open side of the gear case 4| by clips 64 bolted, as at 65, to ears 55 formed on the sides and lower portions of the gear case. It will be noted that the axial opening 51 of the gear hub is square in section to correspond to the square section of the shaft of the associated distributing member, which will now be described.

Each distributing member, there being two disposed in axially aligned relation along the bottom of the hopper as mentioned above, is indicated by the reference numeral 10 and comprises a square shaft 1|, a plurality of helical spring wire menibers 12 and 13, and a plurality of spiders or supporting members 14 and 15 on which the several helical spring wire members 12, 13 are supported in generally concentric relation about the shaft 1|. In the form of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2, the intermediate spiders 15 are formed with a central hub section 16 having a square opening 11 therein and a flange section 18, the periphery of which is undulating in form, the radially outer portions of which are formed with and carry oppositely extending spring supporting A spider 14 of somewhat different .fingers 19.

construction is disposed at each end of the shaft 1|, having only one set of spring supporting iingers instead of two as in the case of the interme-l diate spiders. In Figure 5 the en d spider 14 is shown as yincluding a hub 8 having. a square hole 82 therein, a flange section 83 and a set of spring supporting fingers 84 extending from the flange section 83 in one axial direction. Itwill thus be noted that the spider members 14 and 15"ar.e of substantially identical construction except that one is` provided with a set of spring supporting fingers extending in opposite directions while the other is provided with only one set of fingers extending in only one direction. The end spiders 14 and alternate intermediate spiders 15 are xed, as by cotter keys, againstsliding movement on the shaft 1|, but the other intermediate spiders are free to slide. However, theassociated springs 12, 13 are connected between adjacent pairs of spiders, respectivelyjand yieldingly hold the slidable spiders in position substantially midway between said fixed spiders.

` The helical spring wire members 12 and 13 are of substantially the same construction except that one is wound with a right-handlead and the other is wound with a left-hand lead. As best shown in Figure 5, each of the spring members 12 and 13 is formed with its opposite ends bent so as to extend radially inwardly in between the fingers of the associated spiders whereby, in eiect, the spring members are connected to rotate with the shaft 1| but may be moved freelyuaway from the associated spider or spiders axially. Theinwardly bentends of the spring members 12 and 13 are indicated, respectively, by the reference numerals 85 and 81. Preferably, there are as many helical spring wire members .12 and `13 as there are fer- A tilizer discharge openings 29, and each spring member is disposed with its centralk portion overlying the associated discharge opening so. as to secure a continuously uniform circulationof material past each opening 29, as will be explained in detail below. `The other distributing member 10 is preferably like the oneiust described, and

therefore the description of the one distributing member 10, above, will sumce.

adapted to be inserted into the laterallyinner end i of the associated driving gear hub159, and the inner'end of the'gear hub 59 extends into the hopper just sufficient to receive the laterally outer end of the associated shaft 1 I. As a result of this arrangement, merely inserting the end of the shaft in the hub of the drivinggear is sufficient to establish driving relation between the driving gear and the associated distributing member 10. To facilitate this rapid and convenient installation of the member 10y the central portion of the fertilizer hopper is provided with novel bearing means which is particularly formed to receive the laterally inner ends ofthe shafts 1| oi the two members 10 and so constructed and arranged that by the mere removal of one part. the laterally inner ends of `the Shafts 1| may be removed and then each unit 10 lifted out of the hopper, The centerbearing construction will now be described.

Referring now to Figures 4 and .6, the center bearing isindicated "inits entirety by the reference numeral90 and includes a lower halfll and an upper or removable half 92. The lower bearing half 9| includes a semi-cylindrical socketsection 93 and a pedestal section 94, the lowerend of which is tapped to receive a combined stud and lubricating `fitting 95. Thelatter preferably extends up through an opening in the bottom of.

the hopper and sei-vesto fasten the `lower bearing half 9|- in position. The lubricant connection is indicated at 96, and lubricant is directed upwardly to the bearing socket 93 through a suitable passage. At one side of the socket 98 the lower bearing half 9| is formed with a lug 98 in whlchlocating projections 99 are formed,the projections extending upwardly. At the other side of thelower bearing half the latter is provided with an extended section |0|, the outer portion of which is bifurcated and extended upwardly at anangle that corresponds tothe angled hopper wall section 23. A bolt or other fastening means |88 serves to secure the bearing extension |9| to the inclined hopper wall, 'I'his section of the bearing member 9| is apertured to receive a. fastening bolt |05, `and the latter is held permanently in place by means of a cupped washer |06 so that the bolt |05 becomes a permanent part of the bearing and serves as a studby which the upper or removable bearing half may be connected thereto. t The `cupped washer |05 has an aperture which, when the washer is in cupped form, can be passed over the threaded end of the bolt |05. Then the wash; er is flattened, which operation forces the washer |05 against the shank of the bolt |05 so that the latter is thus permanently fixed in position. The head of the bolt |05 engages a part of the bearing so that the bolt is thus held against turning. The upper half of the bearing, indicated at 92, comprises a companion socket section ||0 and an aperturedlug which is adapted to be passed over the upper end of the attaching bolt |05. A part of the upper bearing half 92 is extended, as at ||2, and is provided with small sockets to'r`e` ceive the projections 99 on` the lower bearing half. As shown in Figure 6, the apertured bearing kextension has lugs" ||8 which are spaced apart so as to embrace the bifurcated portion of the extension |0| onthe lower bearing half,this being the portion that is fastened to the hopper wall bythe bolt |03. A thumb nut H5 having a blind tapped opening to receive the upper end of the bolt' |05, is threaded onto the bolt |05 and serves to clamp the upper bearing half to the lower half, the two parts being brought into the proper `relative `position by the lugs y'99 and H8. A cylindrical bushing |I1 is mounted on the laterally inner end of eachshaft 1|,` and each bushing is formed with a radial flange ||8. The socket sections 93 and 0 of the two bearing parts are formed with grooves'l I9 and I20, respectively, which are dimensioned to receive the flanges ||8; the latter being disposed one against the other'when both distributor members 10 are in position.

It was mentioned above that the upwardly disposed hopper wall section 28 is provided with a plurality of discharge openings, preferably the same number as the number of helical springs in the two distributor members 10. Thehopper wall sheet 28 includes a portion |28 bent at an angle so 'as to lie against the forward hopper wall`22. A spoutcasting |29 is fixed to thehop per in registering relation with each of the discharge openings 29. yThe several spout castings are identical .so that a description of one will sufilce. Each spout member |29 includes a pair of attaching lugs |3| and |32 disposed at the prop'- er angle one with respect to the other so that one may be secured, as by bolts or the like, to the lower portion yof the inclined wall 23 While the other may be secured in like manner to the lower portion of the front wall 22, Vpreferably by the same means that secures the bent section |28 of the gate wall 28 to the front wall 22 of the hopper. Each spout casting |29 includes a discharge passage |33 which extends generally downwardly and forwardly, the passage |33 being generally oblong in section to correspond to the general form of the openings 29, as will be described below. Each spout memberk |29 is provided with a recessed part |34 which forms a slide to receive a shiftable gate indicated in its entirety by the reference numeral |39. Preferably, the number of openings in the hopper wall is divided into two banks, corresponding to the arrangement of two separate and independently rotatable distributor members 10. The shiftable gate |39 is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings |4| corresponding in number to the hopper discharge openings in each bank, there being two shiftable gate members V|39.

As best shown in Figures 1 and 10, the several openings 29 in the hopper gate sheet 28 are formed so as to provide two ranges of feed adjustment. To this end each of the openings 29 includes a wide'sectio'n 29a and a narrow section 29h extending generally longitudinally of the hopper wall 28 and having an overall length the same as the length of the rectangular openings in the shiftable gate member |39. The latter member can be shifted longitudinally in the slides |34 from a position in which all flow is cut off to a position in which the openings 29 and 4| are in full registry, which represents a position of maximum flow. The pur'pose of having the openings 29 formed with a wide portion and with a narrow portion is to provide two ranges of adjustment. When the shiftable gate member |39 is moved so that portions of the narrow section 29h only are exposed, a fine or accurate adjustment for small flows is ilpossible, say when planting around ten pounds of fertilizer per acre. On the other hand, when the gate member |39 is shifted so that portions or all of the wider opening 29a are exposed, then a relatively coarse adjustment is provided but with appreciably larger quantities, say around several hundred pounds per acre. Thus, within a. relatively limited range of movement of yany shiftable parts, I am enabled to secure accuracy at low flows and appreciable quantities at greater flows when it is desired to distribute such large quantities.

The mechanism for shifting each of the shiftable gates |39 is best shown in Figures 1 and 3. Referring now to these gures, and remembering that there are two shiftable gates along the wall 28 of the hopper, I provide a gate shifter bracket |45 spaced inwardly a distance from each end of the hopper- The gate shifter bracket |45 consists of a casting or other member having a pair of apertured ears |46, a second apertured section |41, a bearing section |48, and a dial or indicator section |49. The apertured ears |46 and |41 receive bolts or other attaching means by which the bracket is fastened to the lower forward corner of the hopper, adjacent the juncture of the hopper walls 25 and 28. The portion |48 of the gate shifter bracket |45 carries a pivot |52 on which a gate shifting lever j 53 is mounted.

The lower part of the bracket |45 is slotted, as 75 cated at'l54, and outwardly beyond the clampy ing means |54 the lever |53 is apertured, as at |55, and at |51 is formed with a v-shape'd notch or depression. The bolt |54 passes through the slot |50. An index pointer |59 is secured by a bolt or rivetl in the opening |56 and is provided with a pointed end |60. The pointed end |60 overlies the indicator section |49 of the gate shifter bracket |45, the section |49 having graduations formed thereon with which the pointer |59 cooperates. The pointer |59 is capable of being shifted relative to the lever |53 to which it is attached so as to provide for securing a manufacturing adjustment. After the setting of the pointer on the lever |53 to correspond to the flow which that adjustment of the shiftable gate actually secures, the end of the pointer |59 overlying the notch is struck a blow with-.a suitable instrument so that a part of the material of the pointer is forced down into the notch |51. This then retains the pointer |59 in the proper position and insures accuracy of indication.

I'he inner end of the gate shifting lever |53 carries a socket casting |65 riveted or otherwise suitably secured thereto, the casting serving to receive a pin |61 which is carried by and extends outwardly from the shiftable gate member |39. As best shown in Figure 3, the purpose of the socket in which thegate pin |61 is received is to accommodate the pivotal movement of the adjusting lever |53 while the gate pin moves 1inearly. In order to adjust the rate of flow, the clamping nut |54 isloosened and then the lever |53 shifted to the desired position, after Which the clamping nut |54 is again tightened, but still retains the desired adjustment. At the point where the pin |61 is mounted, the gate |39 has an offset |39a to accommodate the head of the pin, which preferably is riveted in place.

In yorder to secure uniform movement of the fertilizer toward the `two distributing members 10 and'to prevent the formation of or to break up agglomerations of fertilizer, I provide a pair of pivoted bafiles or vagitating members, hinging the |11. A baille supporting strip |18 is fixed as by rivets or the like to the inside of the front hopper wall 22, and each strip includes an upwardly bent -part |19 that is disposed at an angle to the remainder of the part. This strip |18 thus forms a trough-like support receiving the edge of the bent baille section |11,` the angle between the `main body portion of the member |18 and the upwardly bent part |19 being such that a limited amount of pivoting or angular movement of the baille sheet is permitted. It will be noted that, in effect, this construction serves as a hinge, yet there are no open places through which fertilizer may leak directly into the lower portion of the hopper and reach fthe discharge spouts without being fed thereto by the distributing member 10. The lower edge of the baille sheet |16 is disposed substantially in contact with the distributing member at the side thereof adjacent therear wall 23 of. the hopper, being bent downwardly along its lower edge, as indicatedat |80. A plurality of baille riders IBI are secured to the lower spring supporting spiders of the associated dis-` tributor 10. The spiders, as described above, are

formed with undulatory flanges, and these are the portions which the rider cams |82 engage. Therefore, whenever the distributor 10 is rotated the :baille experiences oscillatory movement about its hinged support in the hopper strip' |18.

. There are two baffles, just as there are two agitating members 10, and at their laterally inner edges, each baille is cut back, as at |85, to provide clearance for the center bearing structure described above by which the inner ends of both ofthe agitator members 10 are supported in the hopper.` This space is closed -by acanvas flap |06, the upper end of which is secured between the strip |18 and held in place by the rivets fixing the strip |18 to the front wall 22.

For the purpose of yieldingly holding each bafflle down against the associated agitatorrnember 10, I provide a plurality of spring wires |90. Each member |90 is formed of a single length oi spring wire, and secured to the baille at a plurality of points thereon, preferably corresponding to the number of riders |8l, is a plurality of handle members |92, each of which has a section |93 that is attached directly to the baille sheet and is provided with a socket |94 in `which the lower end of the associated spring wire |90 is adapted to be seated. The upper edge of the rear hopper wall 23 is beaded, as shown at 21, and at points therealong corresponding to the number of handles |92, the bead 21 is interrupted to provide a plurality of openings in whichthe upper ends of the several spring wires |90. may be seated. The springs |90 are of such a length that when the ends are placed in their respective sockets the wire occupies a ,bent position and hence is effective by virtue of its resilience to hold the baille against the agitator member 10 withyielding pressure.

The bottom sheet 25 of the hopper is provided with one or more clean-out openings which normally is closed by a cover 202, preferably for'med as a plate with a central recessed section to flt the clean-out hole 20| (Figures 1 and l1). A pairof spring clips 203 are rotatably far side of the opening 20| being shown in Fig-k ure 1.

Material that is fed through the spouts |29 may, if desired, be conducted directly to the seedv spouts I0 by any suitable means, but preferably I provide separate spouts 2|0 formed, as best shown in Figures 2 and 7, so that the upper end of each is large enough to receive the lower end of the associated spout casting |29. Asbest shown in Figure 2, the spout castings |29 extend downwardly and forwardly. A headed stud 2|| (Figure 8) is fixed to each spout casting |29, and for cooperation therewith the associated spout 2|0 is provided with a reentrant section 2|2 which is formed with a button hole 2| 3. The larger portion of the hole 2|3 is formed to pass over the head of the stud 2I| so that the more narrow section of the hole 2|3 engages underneath the head of the pin 2|| so as to hold the spout 2|0 against dropping away from the asso# ciated spout casting |29. The angle of the reentrant section 2 I2 corresponds approximately to the angleat `whichthe lower portion of the spout casting |29 extends downwardly, so that when each spout 2|0 is fastened in place, as just described, the main body portion of each spout 2|0 hangs in a substantially vertical position.

-The spouts 2|0 are adapted to receive special fertilizertubes, which may be made of rubber or rubber-like material, and tp secure such tubes in position, the lower portion of each spout 2|0 is provided with a `pair of punched-out tangs 2|5. The tubes, indicated by the reference numeral .2I6, that are supported from the spouts 2|0, lead downwardly so as to release the fertilizer and place the same behind the seed deposited by the grain drill furrow openers. If it is desired to release the fertilizer through the regular seed tubes, modified forms of the spouts2 0may be employed, certain modified forms being shownat 2|0a in Figure 9 as having substantially the same construction except that thebutton holes 2|3 will be formed in the wall of the spout proper, rather thanin a reentrant portion, such as 2|2, in Figure "1. Such modified spouts will thus extend generally downwardly indirect alignment with the spout castings |29 and deliver the fertilizer directly into the seed spouts I0.

A modified form of distributor member is shown in Figure 10. In the form of the inventionidescribed above, where the distributor member 10 consists of a plurality of pairs of right land left hand helical spring members mounted onspiders that are carried on a square shaft, the spacing of the spring members corresponds to the spacing of the discharge openings 29 in the hopper gate sheet 28, and in this form of the invention the end spiders 14 are provided with fingers that extend only in one direction while the intermediate spiders are provided with fingers that `extend in both directions. In this construction, therefore, the spacing of the dischargeopenings is determined by the arrangement of the springs, and vice versa, it being remembered that according to the present invention lthe intermediate portion of the spring reglsters with the associated discharge opening. In

Aorder to provide for variationv in the spacing between the discharge openings, it being the custom in certain sections to sow grain at a certain spacing while the custom in other sections is to sow at different spacings, the present invention contemplates constructing the distributor inembers 10a so that the distributor member may be adapted to be adjusted for different spacings. Referring now more particularly to Figure 10, the distributing member 10a comprises a shaft 1| like that described above and a plurality of springs 12 and 13 substantially identical with the members described above. However, each .spring memberV is supported on two half spiders,

the` latter `being indicated by the reference numerals 14aand 1lb,` these members being, for all practical purposes, identical with the half spider 14 described above in connection with Figures l to 3. In order to maintain the distributing helical springs in their proper axial position, each spider is held against outward axial displacement, relative to the associated spring, by a cotter pin 22|. Preferably, the shaft 1| is provided with a plurality of openings in which the cotter pins 22| may be disposed in various positions whereby the spiders 14a and 14b may be mounted in different spaced relations, as desired.

The clutch mechanism 48, mentioned above as controlling the drive from each axle shaft I6 to the associated fertilizer feed jackshaft 44 is best shown in Figure 1 and, in addition to the driving sprocket gear 41, includes a pair of clutch elements 225 and 226l the latter being non-rotatably mounted on the jackshaft 44. The bracket 42 is particularly constructed so as to have a stationary cam surface 221 which includes an axially extended notched dwelled portion 228 with which a similarly formed dwell 229 on the cooperating cam section of the throwout lever 5D is adapted to engage. The lever 58 bears against the adjacent face of the sprocket gear 41 and serves to centrol the axial position of the clutch element 225 relative to the clutch element 226. A spring 23| bears at one end against a collar 232 that is fixed to the outerend of the jackshaft 44 and at its other end bears against the opposite face of the gear 41. Thus, when the throwout lever 50 is in one position, the camming elements 228, 229 permit the spring 23| to force the gear 41 and the clutch element 229 toward the other clutch element 226, thereby establishing a driving connection, and when the arm 50 is in its other position the member 41 is forced to the left against the bias of the spring 23|, thereby separating the clutch Aelements 225, 226 and disconnecting the drive. Normally, the arm 50 is not rocked far enough to bring the notched portions 228 and 229 into engagement, but the arm 50 may be turned by hand into this position, shown in Figure 1, so as to hold the fertilizer out of operation when the drill is in operation.

to the bottom and gate sheets 25 and 28 than other portions.

The operation of the fertilizer distributor described above is as follows:

When the seeding furrow openers are lowered into operating position the rearward swinging movement ofl the arm 52 rocks the member 50 into a position permitting the clutch elements 225, 226 to engage and connect the drive between the axle shaft |6 and the jackshaft 44, there being a construction of this kind at each side of the drill. Each distributing member 10 is therefore driven from the associated axle The bracket 42 that supports the laterally K engaging position.

It will be noted, particularly from Figure 2,

that the springs of the distributor 10 are of fairly l large diameter, compared to the Width of the openings 29, and that they are disposed fairly close to the plane of the openings 29 in the inclined wall 28 but a substantial distance above the bottom wall 25. Having the springs of substantial diameter results in a construction in which the spring coils are practically straight sections moving at a uniform rate across the feed openings. form feed. However, at all other points the springs 12 and 13 are spaced well away from adjacent walls so that packing of the fertilizer is eliminated. As best shown in Figure 1, the turns are quite close together and normally the springs are filled with fertilizer, due to the action of gravity and of the baile and also due to the rotation of the distributor, which is in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 2.

Normally the spring ends are arranged so as to lie loosely between the spider fingers. Thus, the springs are untensioned in operation and do not tend to buckle, which .if it occurred, would result in portions of the spring moving closer This makes for a steady and unl-` shaft |6, and since the helical spring members 12, 13 are disposed, respectively, with their in termediate portions over the associated discharge opening 29, the fertilizer in the lower part of the hopper is fed in a continuous motion in a lateral direction, that is, longitudinally of the hopper itself, past the opening. The two springs 12, 13 of each pair are wound in the opposite directions so that there is no general movement of the entire mass of fertilizer from one end to the other of the hopper. Instead, by arranging the springs of each pair in right and left hand relation, there is set up a plurality of movements of the fertilizer in relatively small closed circuits or paths, with the result that in each circuit the fertilizer moves along the hopper bottom, and along` the inclined hopper wall in which the discharge openings 29 are formed, in a continuous non-pulsating stream. The helical springs 12 and 13 may be arranged to feed the fertilizer toward one another or away from one another, as desired. Preferably, as shown in Figure 1, the springs 12, 13 of each pair move the fertilizer away from the intermediate or common supporting spider 15. In view of the fact that certain of the spiders are slidable on the shaft, both in the form of the invention shown in Figure 1 and the form shown in Figure 10, and due, further, to the fact that the Vsprings 12 and 13 are yieldable, no harm or breakage will result if a bolt, nut, stone or any other foreign object finds its way into the fertilizer hopper. Usually, such foreign object is forced in between the coils of the spring distributor, and once inside the spring, it will remain there until the parts are removed for cleaning. If desired, however, the operator may remove bolts, nuts, stones, etc., from within the distributor spring merely by compressing the spring away from one of the spiders and giving the spring a shake, whereupon the stone or bolt will fall out'. Since the spider fingers extend axially and the spring ends lie loosely therebetween, the momentary disconnection of the end of the spring from the spider may be accomplished readily.

It is an important feature of this invention that the fertilizer attachment can be easily cleaned out at the end of the day or at the end of the run. All that it is necessary to do to remove the distributors 10 is to loosen thewinged physical pivots. In operation, as the distributing members rotate, the combined baille and agitator members H oscillate as the riders pass over the raised portions of the associated spiders.

` This provides a uniform delivery of fertilizer to the downwardly'moving sides of the distributing members and serve to break up lumps and the like. It is important to note that the combined baille and agitator of thepresent invention requires no additional parts, other than the rotatable distributing members themselves to effect the driving and agitation of the bailies. In other words, I provide an oscillatable baille and positive driving means for the same Vwithout the` necessity of providing -any extra driving parts.

lWhen reinserting the baflies after cleaning out `the fertilizer hopper, all that it is necessary to do is to drop the bafliesflnto the supporting strips and then spring` the members |90 into position. c

II'he characteristics of most fertilizers are such `that they tend to pack and cement together,4

especially if they become damp. One of the principal advantages ofthe present invention isthat,

even if the previous cleaning of the fertilizer hopper is not thorough, the presence of caked and cemented, fertilizer `in the hoppe of the present invention is not particularly dserious. Each of the distributing members' is 'disposed slightly above or awayfrom the cooperating hopi per walls so that there are no contacting parts which might be' cemented together very rmly if the fertilizer hopperfis left over night with a small quantity of fertilizer therein. Due to this spacing, as well as due to the yielding characteristics of the fertilizer distributors 10, if the machineshould be started when packed with wet and cemented fertilizer, the parts will flex and move, one part with respect tothe other, so that the square shaft, beingnon-circular. will serve to break up the lumps and hardened parts of the fertilizer.

As best shown in Figure 2,;the gate' including -a rotatable shaft and spring supporting spider means rotatable therewith, a combined baille and agitator rockably mounted iny said hoptator engageable with said spider means whereper above saidhelical spring fertilizer feeding member, means on said combined baffle and agiby rotation of the latter rocks saidbaille and agitator, detachablespring means for holding said `baille and agitator down in spider engaging position, and spout means receiving fertilizer from the apertures in said inclined wall and directing the fertilizer .generally downwardly.

2. Distributing mechanism comprising a hopper,-a` shaft supported for rotation in the hopper, a plurality of supporting members mounted on said shaft in axially spaced relation, said supporting'members'being arranged in pairs and one member of each pair being fixedagainst `axial displacement, at least in onedirection, relvhaving its ends connected with said supporting members, respectively, the yielding of said resilient member and the non-circular form of saidshaft serving to break loose caked or hardened material clinging to the shaft or said resilient member.

4. For useln a distributing apparatus includv.ing a hopper having end walls, the combination openings 29 are disposed in a plane that is substantially tangent to the helical wire distributor, thus securing constant uniform feed when `ln operation. Another advantage of the present invention is thatthe hopper bottom and side walls are all smooth and continuous surfaces so that there are no projecting partsof any consequence which might'tend `to become `caked with fertilizer. Hence, damp fertilizer can be distributed with this type of feed wherethe ordinary distributing mechanism, that includes rotatable star wheels or the equivalent, would be unsatisfactory. Y i

While I have shown and described above the preferred structure in which the principles of the present invention have been incorporated, it is to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to `the particulardetails shown and described above, but that, in fact, widely of `shaft receiving bearing means disposed adjacent said end walls, a pair of removable distributing members adapted to be disposed along the bottom of said hopper in endwise alignment, each of said members comprising a shaft adapted at its outer end to be inserted into and sup-l ported by the associated bearing means, a anged vbushing at the inner end of each shaft, and a split bearing in the' central portion of said hopper and formed to receive the bushings associated with the inner ends of both of said shafts,

said bearing being recessed to accommodate the flanges of said bushings: i

5. In a distributor, a hopper having side and bottom walls, a rotatable distributing member disposed in said hopper adjacent the bottom thereof and including a shaft mounted for rotation in said hopper, spring supporting spider means including at least one member having an undulatingperipheral portion, and helical spring different means may be employed in the practice of the broader aspects of my invention.,

What I claim, therefore, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A fertilizer attachment for grain drills and the like, comprising a hopper having a generally flat lower wall and a downwardly inclined wall,

`the latter being apertured, adjustable gauge means controlling the effective size of the aperture or apertures therein, a helical springv fertilizer feeding member mounted for rotation in the hopper adjacent said walls so that the latter are disposed in generally tangential relation, supporting means for said helical spring member saiddistributing member oscillates said means supported bysaid spider means for rotation with said shaft, a combined agitator and baille pivotally connected alongone edge with the side wall of said hopper, and means serving as a riderdisposed adjacent the other edge of said baille and engageable with said undulating peripheral portion, whereby rotation of baille in the hopper.- Y

y6. In distributing apparatus, a hopper, a rotatable distributing member in the lower portion of said hopper, a bafile rockably connected at its upper edge with one wall of the hopper for generally up and down swinging movement,

the rockable connection between the upper edge of the baille and thehopper comprising a supporting strip attached along said wall and having a substantially continuous generally V-shaped vvgenerally V-shaped form of the latter accommodating swinging of the baille generally toward and away from said distributing member, said rockable connection serving to prevent any material amount of leakage of material over the upper edge of the baille and into the lower portion of the hopper, and means for swinging said baille generally about said trough as an axis so as lto cause flow of material to said distributing member over the lower edge of the baille.

7. In distributing apparatus, a hopper, a baille supporting member extending substantially from one end of the hopper to the other and serving thereby to prevent any substantial amount of leakage of material over the adjacent edge of the baille, the baille supporting member including a portion secured to a side wall of the hopper and an upwardly extending continuous marginal section forming with the body of said member a substantially V-shaped trough, a baille disposed in said hopper, said baille having a continuous downturned edge at its upper edge adapted to be received by the V-shaped portion of said baflle supportingmember, and means for rocking said baille.

8. In distributing apparatus, a supporting member in the form of a `continuous V-shaped trough, a plate member having one edge coextensive with said trough and received by said V- shaped trough and supported with its entire edge in the bottom of the V-shaped trough, the angle between the two parts of the latter accommodating pivotal movement of said plate member about its line of support in said V-shaped trough as an axis, and means for rocking-said plate member.

9. In distributing apparatus as defined in claim 8,the combination of spring means for detachabl'y retaining said plate member in said V- shaped trough. t

10. In distributing apparatus, as dened in claim 8, further including a'hopper in which said plate is supported, serving as a baille therein, and releasable spring means engaging the baille plate and the hopper and reacting against the latter for `yieldingly opposing movement of the baille plate in one direction, and means for rocking the baille.

11. In distributing apparatus, a hopper having baille-receiving means, a baille plate engageable with said baille-receiving means for positioning the baille in the hopper, releasable spring means engaging the baille plate and the hopper and reacting against the latter for yieldingly opposing movement of the baille plate in one direction, means for rocking the baille, and means serving as springl receiving sockets on the hopper and on said baille plate, such spring means including end sections adapted to seat removably in said sockets.

12. In distributing apparatus, a hopper having front and rear side walls and a bottom wall, a distributing member lrotatably mounted above the bottom Wall of the hopper between the lower portions of the front and rear side walls, a baille detachably connected along its upper edge with the front wall of the hopper and extending downwardly and rearwardly toward the rear wall thereof, a single length of spring wire bearing at its lower end against the baille and at its upper end against the rear hopper wall for holding the baille in a position with its lower edge adjacent the distributing member and the lower portion of said rear hopper wall, and'means for rocking the baille.

13. In distributing apparatus or the like, a hopper, an oscillatable member therein, means for oscillating said member, means forming a socket on thethopper and a socket on said member, and a spring member having its ends seated in said sockets for resiliently holding said member against said oscillating means.

14. In distributing apparatus or the like, a hopper, an oscillatable member, meansin said hopper removably receiving said member, means for oscillating said member, means forming a' socket on the hopper and a socket on said member, and a spring member having its ends seated in said sockets for resiliently holding said member against said oscillating means and against said member-receiving means, said spring member being'removable from said sockets to accommodate the removal of said oscillatable member.

-15. In distributing apparatus or the like, a hopper, an oscillatable member, means in the hopper against which said oscillatable member bears at one edge, a rotatable noncircular part, the other edge of said member being adapted to bear against said non-circular part, means forming a socket onthe hopper and a n socket on said member between the edges of said member, and a spring member having its ends seateQin said sockets for resiliently holding said kmember against said supporting means and said non-circular part.

16. Distributing mechanism comprising a hopper, a shaft supported for rotation in the hopper, a plurality of supporting members mounted on said shaft in axially spaced relation, said supporting members being arranged in pairs and one member of each pair being fixed against axial displacement, at least in one direction, relative to the shaft while the other member of said pair is shiftable axially along said shaft, and an axially resilient distributing member connected at its ends with the supporting members of each pair.

17. In an apparatus for distributing material, a rotatable driving member, a pair of supporting spiders mounted on said driving member in nonrotatable relation with respect thereto and each having a plurality of axially directed ngers, said spiders being arranged so that the fingers on each spider extend generally axially toward the other spider, and a helical coil spring mounted at its ends on the axially extending fingers of said spiders, the ends of said coil spring having inturned portions, the latter and said lingers being rdisposed in such positions angularly about the r, axis of said driving member that said inturned portions of the ends of said coil spring t loosely between said lingers whereby said spring coil is normally in untensioned condition but can be readily disengaged from either spider by merely compressing the spring, thereby permitting reand other foreign objects from Within the coil spring.

18. For use in apparatus for distributing material including an elongated hopper, a pair of axially aligned shafts therein, agitator means carried thereby, a bearing socket at each end of .the hopper for receiving, respectively, the laterally outer ends of said shafts. the outer end of each shaft being freely insertible and removable from the associated socket by axial movement lof the shaft, the other ends of said shafts being in close juxtaposition and a journal for both inner ends of said shafts, said journal including separable partspwhich, when separated, provide for first lifting both of the associated supportingv 19. A fertilizenattachment for grain drills and the like, comprising a hopper having a. generally flat lower wallfand a downwardly inclined wally the latter being apertured, adjustable gauge means controlling the effective size of the aperture or apertures therein, a helical spring fertilizer feeding member mounted for rotation in the hopper adjacent said walls so that the latter are disposed in generally tangential relation, supporting means for said helical spring member including a rotatable shaft and spring supporting spider means rotatable therewith, a combined baille and agitator rockably mounted in said hopper above said helical spring fertilizer feeding member, means on said combined baille and agitator engageable with said spider means whereby rotation of the latter rocks said baffle and agitator, and detachable spring means for holding said baffle and agitator down in spider engaging position.

20. In distributing apparatus, a rotatable shaft. a pair of spiders non-rotatably but removably mounted thereon and each having generally axially extending supporting fingers lwith axially opening spaces therebetween, the fingers of one spider being arranged so as to extend toward the fingers of the other spider, and compressible resilient distributing means carried by said fingers and having a generallyb1 radially inwardly extending portion at each end thereof disposed in the space between adjacent fingers of the associated spider, whereby the rotation of. the latter with said shaft rotates said distributing means, the ends of the latter being removable axially from between said fingers to facilitate removal of said distributing means from `said spiders when the latter are removed from said shaft, as for cleaning or the like.

21. The invention as defined in claim 20 further characterized by one of said spiders being slidably mounted on said shaft, and means for limiting the movement of-said one spider along said shaft away from the other spider. v'

22. The invention as defined in claim 20 further characterized by one of said spiders being slidable axially along said shaft and provided with supporting fingers extending axially in opposite directions, and a third spider mounted on said shaft on the side of said one spider opposite the other, said third spider being provided with supporting ngers extending toward `said one spider, and a second resilient distributing means supported on said one spider and the fingers of said third spider, said resilient distributing means serving to yieldably apply opposing forces against said one spider to maintain the latter in normally spaced relation to said other spiders.

23. In distributing apparatus, the combination with a hopper having a plurality of discharge openings in one wall thereof, of a distributing member having a plurality of distributing means carried thereby, each of said distributing means including a plurality of helical spring members and pairs of supports for the spring members, each pair of supports receiving the ends of a spring member, said pairs of supports being mounted on said distributing member with spaces between adjacent pairs, and means for connecting said pairs of supports to the distributing member in different positions axially along said distributing member so as to accommodate different spacing between said discharge openings and to dispose said helical spring members one adjacent each opening and thereby adapt said distributing member for use with different hoppers.-

24. The invention as defined in claim 7 further characterized by the V-shaped section of said baffle supporting member being formed by disposing said upturned'margnal section at an acute angle to the portion of said supporting member that is secured to the side wall of the hopper whereby a substantial amount of pivotal movement of said baille in said hopper is accommodated, thereby providing for vertical oscillation of the baille.

25. Distributing mechanism comprising a hopper, a shaft supported for rotation in the hopper, an axially resilient distributing member, and a supporting member at each end of the distributing member formounting the same on said v shaft for rotation therewith, one of said supporting members being flxedly mounted on said shaft, while the other supporting member has sliding movement thereon.

WILLIAM A. HYLAND. 

